By Ntokozo Mfusi
The recent building boom in and around Durban has led to a shortage of cement in the city, with the problem worsening.
The price of cement has increased in line with the shortage, with dealers having to pay R70 a bag, nearly 30 percent more than the price last month.
The shortage has caused projects to be delayed, with many buildings left unfinished because of the city's construction overload.
Sharp increase in demand The demand for cement has also been higher than in previous years.
As cement requirements increase, demand is fast outstripping supply, with many building companies adversely affected.
Vincent Reddy, manager of Chatsworth Hardware Suppliers, said the shortage and the increase in demand had hit business in the area "very hard".
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He said that without cement, his business could not manufacture blocks and other building materials.
Materials like sand and gravel, which were mixed with cement to make concrete, were also not selling well.
"Without more supplies, we will lose some of our regular customers," said Reddy.
Nazneen Khan, of Natal Builders' Suppliers in Rossburgh, blamed the shortage on Natal Portland Cement - the sole supplier of cement in Durban - which she accused of not factoring in a sharp increase in demand.
According to Khan, NPC worked on a quota system, supplying fixed amounts of cement to companies.
"Many hardware stores have huge backlogs of orders and, when there are delays as well, it becomes even more of a problem."
According to other hardware stores, the lack of the core materials used to manufacture cement, the increase in customers and increased consumption were some of the explanations given by NPC for the shortage.
Civil engineering contractors have also voiced dissatisfaction about the shortage, saying that some projects in the province had had to be put on hold.
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